Flag Day parade in Nacogdoches honors stars, stripes

Rain or shine, Rodney Ray takes great pride in honoring the American flag.

"It's the U.S. Flag Day. It's recognize Old Glory," Ray said.

With the patriotic pride he carries, Ray decided four years ago to start a parade to honor the flag, saying it's important to teach the next generation.

"Patriotism is taught. It is not bred. You have to teach your children because it's not bred into them," Ray said. "You have to teach it to them. Start them young, teach them patriotism, teach them to respect the flag. Respect the country."

Ray decided to pool resources from his motorcycle group along with several jeep groups from across the Piney Woods and the Corvette club.

Ray said he uses his experience from funerals in the past five years, where many veterans have risked and lost their lives for this flag to spread a simple message.

"Get involved with your VA. Get involved with your community. Period. The rotary club, the Chamber of Commerce get involved with them. It may lead into something else," Ray said. "It may lead into helping veterans. It may lead into anything. Just get involved."

More than 60 people took part in the parade on at least a dozen motorcycles and two dozen jeeps and four corvettes.

Flag Day is Thursday. The day commemorates the adoption of the stars and stripes to the American Flag, which happened in 1777.

In the wake of an incident in which the driver of a Ford Explorer allegedly almost backed into a Lufkin PD patrol unit while he was fleeing a traffic stop Monday afternoon, the police department will be seeking a warrant for his arrest.

In the wake of an incident in which the driver of a Ford Explorer allegedly almost backed into a Lufkin PD patrol unit while he was fleeing a traffic stop Monday afternoon, the police department will be seeking a warrant for his arrest.